Ranking tables

Media & Entertainment: Publishing | UK

UK-wide

The section caters to clients in the media industry in respect of contentious and non-contentious matters. We rank firms by specialist expertise in tables for Film & Television; Advertising & Marketing; Music, Theatre & Live Events; Publishing; and Games, Interactive Entertainment and Social Media. Individuals are ranked relative to one another by specialism.   Non-contentious work as covered by this section may include production, financing and distribution arrangements, as well as IP, licensing and supplementary rights planning.   Types of disputes in this area are many and may include copyright and contractual litigation (eg on behalf of studios, producers, publishing houses or talent), matters arising from film finance, comparative advertising and ASA disputes.   Please note that defamation actions are not considered in our publishing rankings; please submit such matters to the Defamation/Reputation Management section. The Publishing rankings do however consider matters concerning pre-publication clearance, reporting restrictions and press regulation.   Related sections: Defamation/Reputation Management

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Farrer & Co LLP
    1
    Farrer & Co LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Farrer & Co has a stellar publishing practice, offering highly commercial as well as legal advice to clients across the publishing sector. The firm acts in a variety of subsectors, including print and online publishers, B2B data businesses, B2C magazines, academic publishers and newspaper groups. The firm additionally provides niche expertise negotiating commercial agreements on behalf of data aggregators, and comes recommended for large digitisation projects.
  2. Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    1
    Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Harbottle & Lewis provides outstanding strength in media and entertainment, with impressive expertise within the video games, film, TV, music and theatre sectors. The firm is widely regarded as a destination firm for publishing clients, offering expertise in commercial and IP matters. The team is experienced in representing major multinational studios and production companies from the gaming and film spaces throughout development. The firm also demonstrates additional strength in growth areas such as virtual and augmented reality, e-sports and online platforms.
  3. RPC
    1
    RPC
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    RPC is a highly respected digital media and publishing practice, advising on a variety of pre-publication, IP, regulatory and commercial matters. The firm also features a strong advertising practice which acts on behalf of a number of major digital businesses and retailers. The team regularly handles disputes arising in online and print media, and has substantial resources with regard to competition law.
  4. Simons Muirhead Burton
    1
    Simons Muirhead Burton
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 11 Years Ranked
    Simons Muirhead Burton is a classic media boutique firm with strong departments catering to the publishing, film and TV, and music industries. It provides commercial, corporate and dispute resolution services to a range of media clients, including talent, major and independent production companies and a range of print, music and online publishers. The firm also advises major corporates and financial services institutions on their investments in media companies.
  5. Taylor Wessing LLP
    1
    Taylor Wessing LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Taylor Wessing is particularly active at the intersection of media and technology. It provides a full service to clients in publishing and advertising, with noted strength in corporate and IP law, along with commercial litigation. The firm offers additional experience in advising clients in relation to video games, social media and gambling matters.
  6. Wiggin LLP
    1
    Wiggin LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Wiggin has a dynamic media group practising at the forefront of the film and TV sector. It acts for independent producers, major studios and banks, with renowned strength in media finance and production. The firm also features a strong publishing offering, advising online and print media businesses on commercial matters and litigation. The team has a strong grasp of emerging technologies and advice with regard to interactive media, gaming and e-sports. The firm is home to a renowned music practice.
2

Band 2

  1. Howard Kennedy LLP
    2
    Howard Kennedy LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 2 | 15 Years Ranked
    Howard Kennedy has a well-established media and entertainment practice advising major and niche publishers working in print and online, as well as authors themselves. It assists with commercial and corporate transactions, and is recommended for commercial litigation and also pre-publication and freedom of information issues. The firm offers rare expertise in the representation of living fine artists and artists' estates.
  2. Simkins LLP
    2
    Simkins LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 2 | 14 Years Ranked
    Simkins is a renowned media boutique firm providing transactional advice, dispute resolution, pre-publication and regulatory compliance services to clients across the creative industries. It has noted expertise in live events, film and TV, music, publishing and theatre. The firm has the resources to assist media clients with corporate, tax and IP matters.
  3. Howes Percival
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 2
  4. Reviewed & Cleared
    Media & Entertainment: Publishing
    2025 | Band 2